[aprssig] Prototype hacker question...

[Mike Yetsko]

> >Only the part isn't SOIC.  It's something called a 'wide' SOIC.
>
> Isn't that fun?  I just did one that I THOUGHT was a 14-pin wide SOIC,
and
> it turns out it's a 14-pin SOP.  Fortunately I just wasted one home-brew
> board on that.
>
>
> >So, anyone have any other ideas?  Or hints and tips on how to bend
> >leads consistantly to do this?  I don't want to have to spend a day
> >fudging each board together...
>
> Well, you might check and see if there is a narrow SOIC version
available.
> For the MAX232 chip, for example, they usually come in a wide package
but I
> discovered it's possible to find them in a narrow version.  Or maybe an
> equivalent part from another manufacturer would work.
>
> Other than that, I'd suggest placing the edge of the part on a hard
surface
> like a workbench and 'rolling' the leads underneath it, like you do with
new
> DIP parts to straighten the pins.
>
> It's a major pain for complicated SMT boards, but I usually try to do at
> least one hand-made board before sending it to the board house.  Helps
with
> peace of mind, and I've caught some subtle glitches that way.
>
> Scott
> N1VG

Well, I built up one  of the prototypes rolling the leads under as if they
were
J-lead.  PITA!!  But it works.  And no, the part isn't offered in that
package.
only the SOIC Wide and DIP.

Mike